inward

adjective in·ward \ ˈin-wərd \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: inward in a Sentence

Definition of inward

1 : situated on the inside : inner

2 a : of or relating to the mind or spirit

inward peace

b : absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective

3 : marked by close acquaintance : familiar

4 : directed toward the interior

See inward defined for English-language learners

See inward defined for kids

Examples of inward in a Sentence

moved towards the inward room for more privacy
he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

Buy Photo For many Muslims, Ramadan brings a month of inward reflection, a time to get along with one’s fellow man and perform charitable acts.

— allison steele, Philly.com, "Ramadan a time for peace, joyful celebration - and nightly feasts," 5 June 2018
O'Malley: Lottie is such an inward character that almost everything is outside her comfort zone.

— will nevin, OregonLive.com, "Interview | Writer Bryan Lee O'Malley, artist Leslie Hung on the second, slimy arc of 'Snotgirl'," 21 May 2018
Europe is waking up to the risks and not just the benefits of inward investment, predominantly from China.

— tory newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Trump team faces long odds for trade breakthrough in Beijing," 3 May 2018
Ireland’s broadcasting authority and inward investment lobby group also met with media companies in London this week, explaining their regulatory approach and how to apply for broadcast licenses.

— Bloomberg.com, "Estonia Joins Race to Woo Broadcasters Mulling Brexit Move," 3 Apr. 2018
Some impetus for an inward move stems from his underwhelming NFL combine measurements.

— nick moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas OT Williams could go in first round of NFL Draft," 24 Apr. 2018
The maze is really an inward journey Arnold set up for the hosts.

— ashley hoffman, Time, "How Westworld's William Evolved Into the Man in Black," 21 Apr. 2018
Over the years Britain has attracted more inward investment than most other European countries.

— The Economist, "Why foreign investment into Britain remains so strong," 5 Apr. 2018
According to the report, Apple is working on iPhone displays that would have an inward curve from the top to bottom instead of the flat displays the company has used since the handset’s release in 2007.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "Apple Said to Be Working on a Curved iPhone With Touchless Controls," 4 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inward.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of inward

Middle English, from Old English inweard (akin to Old High German inwert), from in + -weard ¹-ward

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

inward Synonyms

inward

adverb \ ˈin-wərd \

variants: or inwards play \ˈin-wərdz\

Definition of inward

1 : toward the inside, center, or interior

2 : toward the inner being

See inward defined for English-language learners

Examples of inward in a Sentence

The window faces inward toward the courtyard.
He turned his attention inward.

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

International football punishes inward-looking countries and rewards those with more cosmopolitan attitudes.

— The Economist, "For all its faults, the World Cup in Russia is worth celebrating," 9 June 2018
This turn inward, away from public life to private, was due in part to the economic boom presided over by Ronald Reagan — people finally had the money to splurge on radicchio flown in from Italy and crème fraîche from France.

— New York Times, "How the Kiwi Changed New York’s Food Scene," 16 Apr. 2018
Always looks inward, always available and always upbeat around teammates.

— k.c. johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Bulls Q&A: Is Zach LaVine worth a max deal? How high is Kris Dunn's ceiling?," 14 Mar. 2018
Johns’ work went through a bit of a rough patch in the decade between the mid-1980s and the mid-1990s, when the paintings took a deeply inward, almost claustrophobic turn.

— christopher knight, latimes.com, "Does the Broad's new Jasper Johns exhibition hit the bull's-eye? It gets darn close," 9 Feb. 2018
Some guys are more inward, and some are more outward with it.

— robert klemko, SI.com, "Baker Mayfield Knows What He Does—and Does Not—Have to Prove at the Senior Bowl," 26 Jan. 2018
Trump’s investigation proposal added to concerns that inward-looking trade policies could significantly slow economic growth into the second half of the year.

— carsonkessler, Fortune, "These Stocks Are Getting Hit Hardest by the North Korea Summit Cancellation," 24 May 2018
In that transition, the embryo forms a furrow called the primitive streak and folds inward on itself while cells mature into different lineages that will later give rise to all the organs and tissues of the body.

— kelly servick, Science | AAAS, "Elusive master organizer of human embryo growth seen for the first time," 23 May 2018
Instead of punk’s outward push, you guys pulled inward.

— andrew dansby, Houston Chronicle, "Peter Hook on a life in Joy Division, New Order and the Light," 23 May 2018

First Known Use of inward

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

inward

noun

Definition of inward

1 : something that is inward

2 inwards play \ˈin-ərdz, -wərdz\ plural : innards

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

Turn it around so that the zipper or opening faces inwards, making discreet access harder.

— mark ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Reality of In-Flight Theft," 18 May 2018
Unfortunately, Purser’s obsessive thoughts began focusing inwards.

— meagan fredette, refinery29.com, "Shannon Purser Wants To Remind Everyone OCD Is About More Than Compulsions," 5 May 2018
Meanwhile, Chinese state media and government officials have seized on the dispute as an opportunity to portray China as a champion of free trade at a time when the US is turning inwards.

— michael holtz, The Christian Science Monitor, "US versus China: How a tussle for advantage fuels risk of a trade war," 12 Apr. 2018
For Richman and his family, the inward and the outward were immediately intertwined.

— isabel fattal, The Atlantic, "The Power of Grief-Fueled Activism," 2 Mar. 2018
Then run the laces back into the next hole—from the outside of the shoe inwards—to create a loop.

— alexander george, Popular Mechanics, "This is the Right Way To Tie Your Running Shoes," 12 May 2015
LaPorte coach Louis Kuzdas said the new inward focus for Gomez was something that often happens to wrestlers entering their final high school season.

— dave melton, Post-Tribune, "No limits for Skyler: Gomez stays away from internet, hits new heights for LaPorte," 19 Dec. 2017
Now, time for the fun part: Holding skin taut, start with the blade at the top of your cheekbone and work inwards toward your nose.

— lisa desantis, Health.com, "This Facial Hair Removal Tool Has an Unexpected Bonus That Blew Me Away," 18 Dec. 2017
In its fourth season, BoJack Horseman took a notable inward turn, often rendering the psychological turmoil of its characters in strikingly visual fashion.

— lenika cruz, The Atlantic, "Where BoJack Horseman Season 4 Shone Brightest," 15 Dec. 2017

First Known Use of inward

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

INWARD Defined for English Language Learners

inward

adjective

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

: of or relating to a person's mind or spirit
: directed or moving toward the inside of something

inward

adverb

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

: toward the inside of something
: toward the mind or spirit

INWARD Defined for Kids

inward

adjective in·ward \ ˈin-wərd \

Definition of inward for Students

1 : toward the inside or center

an inward curve

2 : of or concerning the mind or spirit

He felt inward joy.

inward

adverb

variants: or inwards \-wərdz\

Definition of inward for Students

1 : toward the inside or center

The door opens inward.

2 : toward the mind or spirit

I turned my thoughts inward.

Learn More about inward

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inward Spanish Central: Translation of inward Nglish: Translation of inward for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inward for Arabic speakers

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inward

Definition of inward

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Origin and Etymology of inward

inward Synonyms

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inward

Definition of inward

Examples of inward in a Sentence

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

First Known Use of inward

inward

Definition of inward

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

First Known Use of inward

INWARD Defined for English Language Learners

inward

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

inward

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

INWARD Defined for Kids

inward

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inward

Definition of inward for Students

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